I have enjoyed my Vapalux and Bialladin lamps burning nicely this past Bonfire Night and it has prompted me to look out an Optimus 930 that has been sitting untouched in my garage since I got it probably 30 years ago. First problem - the spirit cup is now not spot-welded in place but completely free. I see that someone here once made a clip out of brass wire to fix the same problem, whilst someone else planned to have their cup re-plated and spot-welded back in place. I can do the clip fix but not spot-welding. Any clues as to whether a brass wire fix would be adequate to hold the cup in place long enough for the pre-heating to work? Second, I plan to test fire before fitting a mantle (after checking the tank for leaks) but I don't know if I should use a particular mantle or whether the ones I use on the Vapalux would be ok. Help please. I'll keep you updated of progress as and when... Thanks, Sooty
Hi Sooty you would need a mantle with a single hole, i think? the vapalux/bialaddin types are double hole ones? perhaps a photo or two would help regarding the spirit cup and fixings? thanks pb
Thanks pb - I think you are right about the mantle needing just the one hole as it 'dangles' rather than fitting around both the burner and vaporiser. I need to source those. I'll need to figure out how to post pictures. I have done it before so hope it comes back.
I made the clip referred to from a thick piece of copper wire. I have fired the 930 Optimus up a number of times now and everything is still holding nicely. I have, however, intended to make a clip that is well designed (possibly out of a piece of brass strip) as a replacement. One major advantage of having the cup clipped in is that it is super easy to remove the cup entirely if you wish to polish the cup and globe rest.
Thank you, David. I think I'll do the same as I certainly have some thick copper wire lying around and you make a good point about being able to polish the lamp nicely if you can remove the cup, and they do shine up well with a bit of polish.
